So Where Do The Trojans Go From Here?

A day after another unexplainable Trojan loss and frustrated USC fans are left to wonder what happens next.

Will the return of Matt Barkley signal a regrouping of the Men of Troy and start a march toward recapturing some of the glory lost in Seattle?

Or is this the year that that the rest of the Pac-10 catches up to USC and finds someone else wearing the conference crown?

Either way, Saturday’s loss to the Huskies have put the Trojans and their fans into an altogether too familiar position.

Lamenting another loss to a inferior team.

The blame can be shared by many but ultimately, Pete Carroll, despite his sparkling resume, has made this unfortunate circumstance (for Trojans fans) an annual ritual.

For this, Carroll must take responsibility. And he has.

Saying that the “Trojans aren’t a very good team right now,” Carroll has vowed to right the ship.

In that regard, this year is different from past Trojan teams who have had a one game lapse in focus.

No, this team hasn’t been good for two out of three weeks and the one game they did well was against a vastly over matched San Jose State team.

So the Trojans must look deep inside for answers and for the most part, they must come from the offense which was presumed to be the Trojans strength this year.

Of course, the quarterback position, with true freshman Matt Barkley, was supposed to follow a learning curve. Couple that with his injury against the Buckeyes, the subsequent horrible debut of Aaron Corp, and the less than stellar stats from the passing game can be somewhat excused.

Also, the loss of Ronald Johnson, USC’s speedy wide receiver who stretches the field and opens up the running game by keeping the opposing teams defensive backfield honest, is a big factor that has hurt offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates and his play-calling.

Speaking of Bates, his start as the offensive guru is coming under fire for some suspect calls including running plays that feature Allen Bradford on sweeps.

Some have pointed to the running game against Washington and were pleased with the 7.1 yards per carry average.

Looks good on paper but the scoreboard is what’s important, baby.

Scoreboard.

Fact is, the Trojans could only muster 13 points against a team that won its first game in two years against Idaho.

For the Trojans, this year’s debacle is different.

There seems to be no easy answer to the problems the offense is experiencing.

Of course, the hope is that Barkley returns and somehow the 19-year-old prodigy will cure all ills. Then maybe the Trojans can fix themselves to go on and salvage the season.

But I wouldn’t bet on it.

Despite Matt Barkley’s obvious prowess, this appears to be a team that is destined for glory in 2010.

The defense, which is good already, will be seasoned in 2010 and Barkley will have a year under his belt.

Despite a lot of graduating talent lost on the offensive line, there are very capable backups waiting in the wings.

Some of the wide receivers may leave, including Damien Williams, but again, there are capable receivers just waiting to replace them and a couple of excellent prep receivers who have already given their verbal commitments to the Trojans.

So while they may need to wait a year for glory, I still expect the Trojans to regroup and make a season of 2009.

However, given their difficult road schedule, a 10-2 or 9-3 season might be in the cards for this year’s Trojans.

While this would be a very good year for most programs, for USC fans, 2009 will be another year of disappointment.

And for Pete Carroll, it will be another long year of explaining the unexplainable.